gl2142003

I spilled a cup of coffee on the president of acquisitions. He deserved it. Not the brightest idea, but I'd had a bad day, and now he's getting back at me. For nine weeks I'm to be his assistant, and there's nothing I can do about it. It's punishment. Every moment we're near each other it's a constant battle of wills, but I refuse to go down. If only he wasn't so good looking. If only my fantasies didn't invade our arguments. Everything is off the cuff, including him pinning me to the wall.

Gabriel has made an art of dangling what I'm most desperate for in front of me, what he knows I can't refuse, no matter the cost. In this case, that cost continues to be me. He is still a scoundrel, but I'm starting to see something more. And while our bargain is proving advantageous in ways I never anticipated, the risks that come with being associated with a man like him are becoming painfully clear. But how much longer before this arrangement with Gabriel costs me everything I am?

I never should've let my guard down. Especially not with him. I'm used to being strong. In control. I have to be to run my corporation. So, I should've been able to hold my own against him. Against his relentless charm and devastating good looks.

Rule number one for having a one-night stand: Don’t fall for the girl. After a lengthy dating slump, I finally met someone who sparked my interest. Well, first the sparks flew when we argued. Later in the evening those sparks ignited into something more. I was drawn to Devyn, in a way I hadn’t felt in a really long time. Needless to say, I was disappointed when she abruptly left after our amazing night together. I couldn’t stop thinking about her. But she hadn’t even given me her number. In a city with eight-million people, I figured I’d never see Devyn again.

Love can be ruthless, especially when you're a Hawke. You have to be ruthless to be a Hawke. Our empire in New Orleans has only grown over the years. And protecting it falls on my shoulders. Whether it's in the courtroom or in the streets, I do whatever it takes to get the job done. We've already suffered and lost enough. I won't let anything threaten my family or what we've built.